Extension Lecture Series - Archive - Page 10

Mr. Vinod Dhall joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1966 and retired as Secretary, Government of India. Subsequently, he was the founding Head of the Competition Commission of India for about 5 years till he resigned from the position in July 2008.

During his career in Government, Mr. Dhall gained considerable experience in the fields of Competition Law, Corporate Affairs, Economic Regulation, Finance, including banking, and Industry and Commerce; he worked extensively in these fields for about 27 years. He has also been CEO of two Public Sector Undertakings, and Chairman / Member of Board of Directors of PSU banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and Joint Sector companies.

Mr. Dhall has been deeply involved in economic regulation, including regulation in the fields of: competition law as the first Head of Competition Commission of India; stock markets as ex-officio Member, SEBI; insurance regulation as Special Secretary, Insurance, Ministry of Finance, and company law, corporate governance, chartered accountancy and other professions as Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Mr. Dhall set up the Competition Commission of India and is internationally recognized as an expert in this field. He is currently Chairman of law firm, Dhall Law Chambers that specialises in competition law and has been globally awarded for its high standards. He has been advising leading Indian business houses as well as large multinational corporations with business interests in India on competition law issues in a variety of sectors such as manufacturing, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, power equipment, consumer goods, automobiles, oil and gas, etc.

As Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, Mr. Dhall was responsible inter alia for initiating the E-governance project MCA21, the enactment of Competition Act 2002, setting up the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, and introducing several measures to enhance the levels of corporate governance in India, such as strengthening the institution of independent directors and audit committee, operationalising the Investor Education and Protection Fund, and reforms in the professions of chartered accountants and company secretaries.

Mr. Dhall recently headed the high level government Committee on Public Procurement for reform of the Public Procurement systems in India; it is believed that this is leading to the enactment of a Public Procurement law.

Mr. Dhall is also on the Boards and Board committees of certain listed and unlisted companies in India. Mr. Dhall also worked with the United Nations organizations for over five years. Mr. Dhall is Resident Director, Indian Investment Centre, Frankfurt.

Mr. Dhall has a Law degree from the University of Delhi and a Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Allahabad. He has received several awards during his academic career.

Anand Prasad is a founder partner in Trilegal’s Delhi office and is part of the corporate practice group of the firm. He also serves on the firm’s management committee.

Anand specializes in investment structuring, establishing joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals and cross border and domestic financing. Anand has a good understanding of evolving government policies and advises on developments in a variety of sectors and has advised clients on cross-border transactions, foreign equity restrictions, entry strategies, investment structures, competition law and employment issues.

Anand also specializes in providing strategic inputs and conducting high value disputes particularly arising out shareholding agreements or in relation to regulatory issues.

Anand has been consistently recommended for his expertise in Corporate/M&A by Chambers Asia-Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500 in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He has also been acknowledged as a prominent name for his expertise in corporate, regulatory communications, and Internet and e-commerce in The Indian Lawyer 250, 2012 guide.

Anand is the Vice Chair of the Cross Border Investment Committee of IPBA. He is also the Treasurer for the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF).